Masque

假面歌舞剧

The masque was inaugurated in Renaissance Italy. In its full development, it was an elaborate form of court entertainment that combined poetic drama, music, song, dance, splendid costuming, and stage spectacle. The speaking characters, who wore masks (hence the title), were often played by amateurs who belonged to courtly society. The play concluded with a dance in which the players doffed their masks and were joined by the audience.

假面歌舞剧起源于意大利文艺复兴时期。在其全面发展时期，作为一种精巧的宫廷娱乐形式，假面歌舞剧融合了诗剧、音乐、歌舞、华丽的服饰和舞台场景。剧中有台词的角色都戴着面具（这正是其名称由来），通常由贵族阶层中的戏剧爱好者所扮演。剧终时演员脱下面具，观众加入，共同起舞。